THE SEDGWICK BOYS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 94, 10 June 1911, Page 5

THE SEDGWICK BOYS.

BOYS AND FARMERS SATISFIED. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, Last Might.

The advisory committee of the Fanners’ Union has been watching with close attention' the results of a movement to place town lads from Home on farms in the Dominion under the auspices of the Department of Labor. The results have already exceeded expectations, and the lessons of the experiment will be very valuable for future guidance. These include selection, ages, types, outfits and the supervision of diet and accommodation on the voyage. The general consensus of opinion is (hat the arrangements made for the lads after their arrival in New Zealand arc capable of little or no improvement. Employers generally consider that Home town lads are quite as good on farms as the native-born. They state that they are keen and anxious to learn, and arc willing woncers. The boys themselves admit that they fodml life dull at first, hut now they appreciate the variety of their work, the excellent food and the comfortable accommodation provided. Several of them testify to a willingness for their employers, to teach them everything. Many state that they have ~s good a situation as “a icllow could wish lor.

Wages paid by farmers are decidedly good,"for ia addition to clothing and “found,” boys are paid an average of Ss or !)s a week for the first year, with increases according to their services. The average hoy will therefore have ocn .Cl 00 to his credit in a hank , when he comes of age, as under the terms of apprenticeship wages are hanked for boys under the direction of the Department, only Is per week pocket money, being paid. out. The Farmers’ Union has issued through its branch forms for farmers requiring the services of lads, on which tuey may slate the age desired, the style of farming' pursued, and tho wages n (IV re cl. When these have been received, it is proposed to approach the Minister oi Labor and request him to re-consider his resolution not to assist in placing any parties of lads until next January--i.e.. when the first party have proved their fitness for twelve months. The response is alreaiiv very satisfactory, and it is hoped that it will he possible to get out a number of lads equal, perhaps, to 7.) uer cent, of the balance of suitable applications received.after ail tbe New Zealand applicants have been suited. There is Mill a. great demand for female domestic labor, and it seems likely ihat something may bo done on similar lines to this migration of lads to farms.